Shoe Carnival, which has been open on Thanksgiving in recent years, announced in a news release its stores will be closed Nov. 23 to allow "store associates and corporate employees to spend time with their family and friends." Stores will open 6 a.m. Black Friday and the first 100 customers will receive $10 to spend on anything in the store, the release stated.

Free shipping

During the holiday shopping season, it's not unusual for stores to offer free shipping with lower thresholds or no minimum purchase.

Target: In an Oct. 23 news release, the retailer announced that starting Nov. 1 it’ll offer free shipping on all orders, a benefit Target credit cardholders get year-round. Target’s holiday plans also include more exclusive brands, a new mobile wallet and GiftNow, a tool to help buy gifts for finicky relatives.

Best Buy: The nation’s largest consumer electronics chain is offering free shipping now until Dec. 25 and is waiving its usual $35 minimum.

Early sales

Macy's: The department store started a preview sale with more than 100 Black Friday specials online Nov. 16 and announced its Cyber Week sale will be Nov. 26-29, in a news release.

Old Navy: The retailer is having a pre-party sale from Nov. 16-21 where customers get 40 percent off their entire purchase in stores and online, according to a news release. During the three-day Black Friday sale Nov. 22-24, get 50 percent off purchases. But Old Navy credit cardholders get early access to the half-off discount Nov. 16-19. On Black Friday during the "One Dolla Holla sale," cozy socks will be on sale for $1 per pair in-store, down from the regular price of $5 per pair. Plus, for every pair purchased, Old Navy will donate $1 to Boys & Girls Clubs, up to $1 million. Learn more here.

Sears and Kmart: Sears announced it's now offering Black Friday pricing online at Sears.com. Sears and Kmart also lowered the minimum purchase threshold for free shipping on qualifying online orders to $25 and launched a new points program offer for Shop Your Way members. Earlier in the month, the sister stores launched their first-ever “Holiday Blowout” promotion, a month-long store-wide sales where all Sears products will be 10 to 50 percent off and all Kmart products will be 10 to 40 percent off through Nov. 25, according to a company media alert. There will also be special deals for members of the Shop Your Way rewards program including a chance to earn cashback in points on select purchases and other discounts.